Your Library Account

Get a Card

It’s quick and easy to get a library card! All Wisconsin residents are welcome to get a free library card at PHPL. Just bring in a photo id and proof of your current address (driver’s license, check book or utility bill). Children ages 5-17 can have their own library card when a parent or guardian signs for them. The library does not restrict access to any material by age; this responsibility rests with the parent(s) or legal guardian(s).

When you have a card from PHPL you can use it at ALL public libraries in Waukesha and Jefferson Counties. You can also order books and movies from other CAFÉ libraries and have them sent to PHPL. Make sure to bring your library card with you every time you visit us to check out books, movies and music and to use the Internet.

Checkouts & Renewals

The following is a summary of current Pauline Haass Public Library circulation policies. The complete policy is available online or at the library’s checkout and reference desks.

Loan Periods

3 weeks: most books, audiobooks and Playaways

2 weeks: new adult books

1 week: most DVDs, software, magazines, pamphlets, adult music CDs

“Lucky Day” browsing collections have separate loan periods and fees.

Renewals
If no other customers are waiting for an item, it can be renewed 3 times. Renewals can be made in person, by phone at 262-246-5180, or online.

Renew Items Online
To review your record, place holds or renew items you will need your CAFÉ card number and PIN number (date of birth). Please note: If you are unable to connect to the catalog and wish to renew items, please call the library at 262-246-5180 during open hours.

Requests/Holds

If the title you want is owned by any of the CAFÉ libraries, you can request it by placing a hold. Just go to the catalog and look for the title you want. Once you find the item, click the “Place a Hold” option on the right of the screen. Enter your full library card number and your password to log in, and then submit your request. We will notify you as soon as the item becomes available for you. You can also ask a librarian to place a hold for you.

If you can’t find what you are looking for in the catalog, ask a librarian. We check WISCAT, the statewide database for Wisconsin libraries, and place Interlibrary Loan requests. When the requested materials arrive, we’ll contact you. You check out the material as though it were ours, except that the lending library sets the due date.

If the item isn’t available locally, it may take several business days to complete your request. If the item is from out-of-state, the response will take longer (two weeks, on average), so it’s not usually the best way to get materials for next week’s school report, but for those with more time, it’s a great option.

Regardless of where the item comes from, there is no charge to you. So, if you don’t find what you’re looking for on our shelves, be sure to ask!

Fines and Fees

Overdue fines are 20¢ per day per item (no grace period) for all materials except videos/DVDs, CD-ROMs, and children’s books. The fine for videos/DVDs, CD-ROMs and Interlibrary Loan materials is $1.00 per day per item. No overdue fines are charged for children’s books (other children’s items are assessed fines). Fines are not charged for days that the library is closed. “Lucky Day” browsing collections have separate loan periods and fees.

Damaged Or Lost Materials
A standard replacement fee, based on the item type, is charged for Pauline Haass Public Library’s damaged and lost materials valued at less than $50.00 each. Items valued at $50.00 or more will be charged at current retail replacement costs.

Items obtained for users from other libraries may be assessed the lost/damaged charges of the owning library.

No refunds are given if lost materials are found after having been paid for; the materials are the property of the individual who paid for them.